Heermann's Gull vs Fairy Tern
Larus heermanni compared with Sternula nereis
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Heermann's Gull | Fairy Tern |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Larus heermanni | Sternula nereis |
| Order | Charadriiformes | Charadriiformes |
| Family | Laridae | Laridae |
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened | Vulnerable |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 67.2 cm (26.5 in) | 35.6 cm (14.0 in) |
| Weight | 448.26666666666665 g (15.81 oz) | 68.5 g (2.42 oz) |
| Diet | -- | -- |
| Clutch Size | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Conservation Status
Near Threatened
Heermann's Gull
Vulnerable
Fairy Tern
About These Birds
Heermann's Gull
Heermann's Gull, 46–51 cm, is distinctive — dark grey body, white head (breeding), red bill. Breeds almost entirely on Isla Rasa in the Gulf of California, then disperses north along the Pacific coast to British Columbia. Kleptoparasite; steals fish from Brown Pelicans. Near Threatened; range highly restricted.
Fairy Tern
Fairy Tern, 22–25 cm, breeds in southern Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia on sandy beaches. White and pale grey with an orange-yellow bill; delicate and buoyant in flight. Piscivore; hovers and plunge-dives in shallow coastal and estuarine waters. Vulnerable due to beach disturbance.